The Shelf (also known as the Portrait Show or the Portrait Stage) was the original animatronic show format at Pizza Time Theatre restaurants.
History
The stage debuted in 1977 at the very first Pizza Time Theatre in San Jose, California. It gained the nickname, "Portrait Show" because the characters (except for Pasqually and later Munch) were housed in 4 foot tall picture frames. The version of the shelf that appeared at the first Pizza Time Theatre was called the, "1st Gen". The characters (especially Chuck E.) looked very different from how they would later look. Crusty the Cat(who was later removed), Chuck and Jasper were fixed on flat surfaces, with movable arms, mouths, and eyes. Pasqually was behind a set of closed doors and would pop out to call pizza orders (which would also be later removed). In the center of the showroom, sitting on a raised platform were the Warblettes. Jasper originally played a real banjo, but this was changed because it would damage Jasper's arm and body along with the banjo itself. When the second Pizza Time Theatre opened, changes were made to the Shelf. Crusty, Chuck E. and Jasper became 3D. The Warblettes were either put in a frame or replaced by The Mopsey Sisters, who were three singing mops. In November 1978, Crusty was retired and replaced by Mr. Munch. Munch was placed behind two closed doors like Pasqually.
The shelf was replaced by the Balcony Stage in 1980.
Characters
- Chuck E. Cheese
- Jasper T. Jowls
- Pasqually P. Pieplate
- Crusty The Cat
- Mr. Munch
- Helen Henny
- Foxy Colleen
- Sally Sashay
- Madame Oink
Former Shelf Locations
- Tucson AZ (1980-1983)
- Citrus Heights CA (1980-1984)
- Concord CA (1979-1988?)
- Covina CA (1980-1988?)
- Fremont CA (1980-1984?)
- Fresno CA (1980-1984?)
- Fullerton CA (1980-198?)
- Garden Grove CA (1980-1985?)
- Huntington Beach CA (1979-1984?)
- La Habra CA (1980-1984?)
- Long Beach CA (1981-1984?)
- Sacramento CA (1979-198?)
- San Jose CA (Winchester) (1977-1985)
- San Jose CA (Kooser) (1978-1980)
- San Ramon CA (1980-1984?)
- Simi Valley CA (1980-1988?)
- Stockton CA (1979-198?)
- Sun Valley CA (1980-1990?)
- Orlando FL (1980-198?)
- Westland MI (1980-198?)
- Sparks NV (1979-198?)
- Raleigh NC (1980-1984)
- Maple Hights OH (1980-1990?)
- Arlington TX (1980-1987)
- Ogden UT (1980-1991)
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| Stages |
| Current Main Stages |
| 1-Stage - 2-Stage - 3-Stage - Road Stage - Studio C Alpha - Studio C Beta - Small-Town Studio C - Circles of Light - Chuck E. Live Stage |
| Current Test Stages |
| 1/2-Stage - Studio C Gamma - Mini Studio C (1997) - CU 1-Stage - 1/3-Stage - Circles of Light Live Stage - Studio C 3-Stage |
| Current Retro Stages |
| 2-Stage Live Stage |
| Retired Stages |
| Main: The Shelf - The Cyberamic Shelf - Balcony Stage - Rocker Stage - C-Stage |
| Test/one-offs: Family Album - Hot Fudge - Concept Unification Prototype Stage - Playroom 3-Stage - The Awesome Adventure Machine - Cyberamic 3-Stage - Studio C Prototype - Single-Screen Studio C 2000 - Studio C Alpha/Prototype Mix - Small-Town Studio C Prototype - CU 2-Stage - Studio C Beta/Cappa Mix - Star Stage - Galaxy Stage - Chuck E. Live Stage Prototype |